Floorplay Swing Dance Club

Floorplay Daytona Monthly Dance

Mark Traynor — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:01:14 +0000

FloorPlay Dance At: The “Ballroom”
465 South Nova Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Located in the Renaissance Professional Center
Less than 1 mile north of the Rockin Ranch

Hope you can join us for a night of great dancing and socializing for our Valentines Dance at the Ballroom. It’s a terrific venue, dance floor and atmosphere. We will have a ‘mixer dance during the evening and try to wear something GREEN. We’ll supply some snacks and as is our FloorPlay custom everywhere, anyone wishing to bring a dish or dessert to share is certainly more than welcome.

Mark & Beth Nelson will be teaching the WCS Workshop before the dance beginning at 7:30

We will be giving away 2 passes to the dance and workshops by Demery Strickland coming up the first Saturday in May during our raffle..

Sat. March 10th
Workshop at 7:30pm
Dance immediately following till ?
$10. Includes workshop, dance, PIZZA, snacks, soft drinks and drawing for prizes.

Directions:
From Orlando take I4 East to I95 north…about 1 ½ miles to LPGA Blvd. exit…go east (right) approx: 2 miles to 4th light, Nova Rd…turn left (north) and go about 3 miles to the Renaissance Professional Center on the right.
( Also applies to Melbourne from I95 )

From Jacksonville I95 South to Ormond Bch. Rt.40 exit. Go east about 2 ½ miles to Nova Rd. (RT5)…turn right (south) about 1 mile to the Renaissance Professional Center on the left.

THANKS! For your support
Mark Traynor
Floorplay Dance Club
www.floorplayswing.com
407-973-9674

Harry Kopol

Mark Traynor — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:29:04 +0000

the artist, car enthusiast, ladies man, dancer, jokester and most of all FRIEND, passed away peacefully in the hospital this morning a few minutes before 1 a.m. His long time girlfriend, Linda, his friend from high school in Chicago, Cheryl, and I were with him when he passed. His children, Lisa and Howard, were on the phone from Chicagocontinuously talking to him almost up to the final moment although he had quit responding to people shortly after 7:30 last night. Memorial services will be held for him soon and I will be sending the information as soon as the plans are finalized. If you have any pictures that you would like me to try to include in the memorial please send them via email to me at wplady@embarqmail.com and I will do my best to include them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the visitors, cards, gifts, calls and well wishes that he had in his final days and throughout his life. Harry and I have spoken at length almost every day in person or by phone for the past 12 years, so I will miss him terribly as I know many of you will miss him. As we told him last night……..”we will see him on the other side” and knowing Harry he will be waiting there to greet us and tell us the latest joke!

May you rest in peace my darling Harry you were greatly loved by many people during your life and you will be greatly missed by many people now.

Diane Scott

A Happy and Healthy 2012

Mark Traynor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:10:26 +0000

A Happy and Healthy 2012 to EVERYONE and THANK YOU ALL!

The 2011-’12 edition of our FloorPlay New Years Swing Vacation was, according to all of the positive feedback and comments, once again a great success! This was our 12^th dance event and one of the best! What better place to be than Orlando on New Years with the Rosen Plaza as the host hotel in the heart of all the action at the #1 vacation destination of the world? The weather once again cooperated staying in the mid 70’s for the event attendees coming from up north as well asEurope.

We topped 550 in attendance and A HUGE THANKS goes out to everyone who attended! This year 426 attendee’s took advantage of the fantastic dinner buffet included at the hotels Café Matisse on New Years Eve. The best way to fuel up for the party to come is with a terrific meal shared with friends. We also managed to make 56 pizzas ‘disappear’ at the New Years night pizza party; it cooled off a bit at night so we brought it inside.

This year we added the ‘unique’ Golden Ticket Tour competition to our series of Pro / Am Competitions, regular WSDC Jack ‘n Jill’s and the Florida State Swing Dance Championship. There was very good participation in all the events. Congratulations go to Hugo Miguez & Brianne Cline for winning the 9^th Edition of the FSSDC! Great thanks to Demery Strickland and his staff including Beverly Co for controlling the competition sign-ups, scoring and allowing us to Award the winners of each division shortly after the finals of each. Thanks to Danielle Blouin and Mike Oates for having all the certificates prepared for the winners in every division. Thanks to Trish Berlanga and Laura Beers who served as head judges for most of our competitions and thanks to all the judges in every division. Judging is never an easy task.

Applause goes out to Robert Royston and his usual masterful job as Emcee. Thanks to all of the great Pro Instructors who joined us this year for a terrific New Years Eve show and the many workshops conducted that were very well received. The classes were huge! Robert & Nicola Royston, Robert Cordoba (also supplying our late night music), Deborah Szekely, Michael Kielbasa & Katrina Branson, Danielle Blouin & Demery Strickland, Brian & Pamela Bennett (FloorPlay Directors in Greensboro N.C.), and Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlowe who topped off our terrific New Years Eve Pro Show with a top ‘flight’ Hustle routine. Once again our Original Dance Forum on Monday proved to be its usual most informative opportunity to learn those ‘in-depth’ theories and concepts associated with this dance we love.

I also want to thank the many terrific pros from around Florida who joined us for the weekend including Steven White & Sabrina Paxmann, Rick Weston, Bruce & Beth Perrotta, Bobby Caudill (whom also DJ’d for us), Hugo Miguez, Tommy Gibbs & Renee Lipman, John & Mary Jane Harris, Cindy Lee Overton and the many other top level dancers and Instructors I may have missed.

But no event can be successful without two all important things, a good dance floor and a GREAT sound system with fabulous music! The dance floors were smoothly provided by Cherry Taylor and Master Dance Floors ofTampa. The sound systems were supplied byOrlando’s Kevin McDeed who also provided some cool lighting and video for the Midnight Champagne toast. Kevin ‘KMac’ also set the tone, as always, with a terrific variety of music to keep everyone moving. He continues to be the ‘soul’ of the FloorPlay Dance Club events and dances. April Prince was back with us again setting up all of the competition music as well as playing for the crowd, proving her position as ‘one of the best anywhere’. As mentioned, Robert Cordoba and Bobby Caudill also played some great music for us during the late night sessions. I heard nothing but compliments about all of the music played ALL weekend long and there were lots of new tunes being heard. Great Thanks to all the DJ’s!

There are MANY on any event staff who make it all work, without them it simply doesn’t happen and I believe we have the best staff anywhere! These are the folks who initially greet you, sign you in, answer your questions, handle security, keep things organized in all aspects of presentation and make everyone feel welcome…all with a smile! Ed Sullivan & Nora Batts lead security and recruit ample ‘friendly’ help. Registration is very involved and Amy Palmer is the key to making it all happen and running smoothly. She did so much behind the scenes it would be to hard to describe. Helping out tremendously were Meggan and Marilyn Thomas (full time!), Sandy Sanborn, Cindy Winternitz, Linda Murphy, Jutta Baerman, Angela Sammons, Shari Voit, Elaine Sipe and Robin DiMeo; who is also the ‘keeper’ of our website and doing a fantastic job making me be as ‘up-to-date’ as possible. Diane Scott, who helps with everything, went above and beyond signing up all competitors and supplying the scorekeepers with detailed names, numbers, levels etc. And, last but not least there are those whom contribute in a WIDE variety of ways and without their help there would be noticeable deficiencies in organization. Bill Bray and Maria Hardy are these people, like many mentioned here they help with SeaPlay Cruises and monthly dances throughout the year as well. I sincerely thank you all for your tremendous efforts and to those who may have helped that I have unwittingly omitted here.

A final HUGE THANK YOU to all of “you” who attended the event this year. As always you are a great, friendly, fun crowd who make up a terrific atmosphere and contribute to making Swing Vacation “The Place to Party’ on New Years Eve! You ALL ROCK!

We will continue to do our best to bring you the Best New Years Party possible and hope you will plan to join us again for Swing Vacation 2012 – ’13.

“Being the 10^th Anniversary of the Florida State Swing Championships we are planning a few wrinkles to help focus on the Florida WC Dance scene which has become such a major player on the National WC Dance Circuit”

SEE YOU THEN!

Sincerely,
Mark Traynor
FloorPlay Club Founder

Contributing Author

Mark Traynor — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:48:12 +0000

Who is Mark Traynor?

Mark has been involved with the Dance Industry in every capacity for over 35 years. Since concentrating primarily upon West Coast Swing (WCS) for the past 21 years he has helped establish many techniques now being taught and used throughout the WCS circuit nationwide. Because he has never been a competitor on the circuit it took some time for his Floorplay concepts to spread and take hold across the nationwide West Coast community but now can be seen and are used everywhere by dancers and instructors alike, possibly without ever knowing where they originated.

Mark has suggested for years that because of the ever expanding possibilities, as well as techniques already utilized and accepted by the WSDC, NASDE and the dance community in general, WCS should be re-classified as another dance form completely. Aficionados of the dance will tell you that what we’re doing today, and have been doing for quite some time is not classic WC anymore but a much more advanced, all inclusive form of Swing that has evolved far beyond its original intent and syllabus.

Today, Mark continues to be an innovative force thru his Floorplay Dance Clubs and teaching concepts. Here are several that have helped make today’s WCS a much easier dance to learn, execute and understand as it continues to evolve.

Read Mark’s Articles

Various Steps, Patterns and Movements
The Extended Count
The ‘Play’ Set-Up

2011-2012 NYE Party

Mark Traynor — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:48:09 +0000

HELLO DANCERS

As has been our custom, for the early event arrivals and local dancers we will have an opening night ‘Kickoff Dance at BB Kings Restaurant & Nightclub on Thurs. night Dec. 29th. Arrival time is up to you. BB Kings is located directly across the street from the Rosen Plaza Hotel where the New Years Event takes place this weekend. It is upstairs in the Pointe Orlando complex. A great place to eat and terrific Live Band Blues entertainment. Some of our own Swing music will be played between band sets. You will need to pick up either a FloorPlay Business card or New Years Event flier that will be available at the FloorPlay Swing Vacation registration desk to present at BB Kings to waive the normal $5 admission fee to the club.

Hope to see you there!
Mark T

Sunday is Red, White & Black night!

If you are able, we would like to have everyone wear Red, White or Black on Sunday night for social dancing—your choice of any of those colors, or any combination of 2 or all 3. It’s not mandatory, but we though it would be a fun thing to have a color scheme… especially for those who will be posting pictures or videos on Facebook or videos of Sunday night dancing on Youtube. Other events have done this and it makes for really interesting pictures and videos to help promote the event for the following years.

Still need a room at the Rosen Plaza? Call 407-996-9700 for reservations-Mention FloorPlay Swing Vacation for special $108. Rate; sleep 4. When calling to reserve a room, please ask for Lisa Garcia if they say they are sold out. She is holding several rooms for FloorPlay. Her direct line is 407-996-1734. The Rosen Plaza sells out EVERY year due to the Holidays, Football game and Theme Parks. Our rate is always available, but the rooms will be GONE! Don’t lose out! Reserve Now!

FloorPlay is proud to announce we are joining the very popular Golden Ticket Tour THIS year at our New Years Event. No Open Dance time will be affected as we are able to schedule the competition during the times allotted for Jack ‘n Jill Prelims and finals. Those familiar with and who compete in the GTT know how it works and those new to the concept will find it a unique concept and exciting way to watch the competitors that moves very quickly. Registration for the GTT will be available immediately upon arrival at our Registration Desk.

2011-2012 NYE Pro Staff

Mark Traynor — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:42:55 +0000

New Years Swing Vacation Awesome Pro Staff

Robert Royston – Emcee
Nicola Royston
Michael Kielbasa
Katrina Branson
Robert Cordoba
Debra Szekely
Danielle Blouin
Demery Strickland
Brian & Pamela Bennett
Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlowe

More to Come!

DJ’s:

Kevin McDeed – Floor Play Dance Club’s very own!
April Prince – 2009 All Swing DJ of the year!
Robert Cordoba

Robert Royston

Robert Royston began his professional career on the competitive couples dance circuit in 1989, quickly ascending through the ranks and securing the “US Open Swing Dance Championship” and “World Country Dance Championship”, titles he held for four consecutive years (1995 to 1998). He also holds national titles in Salsa, Hustle and Adagio/Cabaret. After stepping off the competitive floor for a few years, Robert got back on the floor with his Wife Nicola and became the “2006 USA Grand National Cabaret Champion” and the “2006 US National Champion”, as well as winning many NASDE Showcase Swing Titles with Nicola. In 2007 he became the youngest person to be inducted to the “UCWDC Hall of Fame”. His exciting, high energy and original work next led to his choreographing and performing in music videos, which got the attention of the producers of the Broadway show, “Swing!” He spent a year and a half appearing in “Swing!”, performing his own choreography, and later became the assistant choreographer for the first National Tour of the production. Royston’s work has been featured in the production of “Gypsy of the Year” at New York’s Palace Theatre (a part of Broadway Cares/EFA), as well as “Destination Groove”, a Choreographer’s Showcase. His choreography was also featured in the New York workshop production of “Urban Cowboy”, a production in which he also performed.

Nicola Royston

Nicola’s first love is acting, some of her acting credits include: THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO (Sunny) at Queens Theater in the Park. Rupert Holmes’ THUMBS w/Kathie Lee Gifford (Angel), EXPECTATIONS (Karen), SAM w/Brain Murray and Elaine Stritch (Gwen) at The Helen Hayes Theater Company. URBAN COWBOY (Pam) N.Y. Workshop Production. MS. WARREN’S PROFESSION (Vive), QUEENS OF FRANCE (Marie), THE SICILIAN (Isidore), BEDTIME STORIES (Angela) at The Oasis Theater Company. TOPPER (Beatrice), OEDIPUS PRIVATE EYE (Mitzie) at Musical Theatre Works. KISS ME QUICK..(Mary) at North Shore Music Theater. THE CONTRAST (Jenny) at The Open Eye Theater. Tour: BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE.(Natl. Tour), TheaterWorksUSA. She was very excited to perform her husband’s choreography in GYPSY OF THE YEAR and DESTINATION GROOVE both for Broadway Cares/EFA. TV credits: ALL MY CHILDREN, THE TODAY SHOW. She also appeared in “SWANGO THE MUSICAL”, “Broadway Song and Dance” , and “STREETSWING”. Most Recently she co-starred in the Feature film “LOVE N’ DANCING” Starring Amy Smart and Billy Zane. Training: Carnegie-Mellon University B.F.A.

2010 Swing Vacation Recap

Mark Traynor — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 07:36:28 +0000

HAPPY 2011 TO EVERYONE and Thank You ALL!

The 2010-’11 edition of our FloorPlay New Years Swing Vacation was, according to all of the positive feedback and comments a great success! This was our 12^th Event overall and 6^th New Years Party where we plan to remain. What better place to be than Orlando at New Years and the Rosen Plaza as the host Hotel. With sunny mid 70’s weather, our Sat. night Pizza Party was poolside and the WCS Flash Mob performance at Pointe Orlando was comfortable, well received by the locals and other tourists and well done by all the dancers who participated.

A HUGE THANKS to everyone who attended as we once again topped 500 including staff. Almost 400 of whom have learned that it’s worth it to take advantage of the fantastic Dinner Buffet included at Café’ Matisse in the Rosen on New Years Eve.

This year we added a series of Pro / Am Competitions to our regular WSDC Jack ‘n Jills and Florida State Swing Dance Championship. There was very good participation in all and Congratulations go to Justin Wolcott & Krista Martin of S. Fl. for winning the 8^th edition of the FSSDC following last years 2-time winners Christopher Lo & Dawn Sgarlatta. Being our first foray into the Pro / Am divisions, as well as some of the Judges, there was (as explained below ) a mix-up in scoring one division that has been corrected. A sorry to those affected either way and Congratulations to all who competed on any and every level adding to the weekends excitement and entertainment.

Speaking of which, Thanks to all of the great Pro Instructors who joined us this year for a terrific New Years Eve show and the many workshops conducted and well received. Robert & Nicola Royston doing a usual masterful job emceeing, Mary Ann Nunez, Orlando’s Jen Deluca, Michael Kielbasa, Marcus Smith & Trendlyon Veal, Danielle Blouin, Trish Berlanga and Steven White. And be sure to get a video of all the weekends festivities, workshops and competitions from Jack ‘n Jill Productions. Tagg Leduc does a masterful job putting it all together.

But no event can be successful without two all important things, a good dance floor and a GREAT sound system with fabulous music! The dance floors were smoothly provided by Cherry Taylor and Master Dance Floors of Tampa. The sound systems by Orlando’s Kevin McDeed who also provided some cool lighting and video for the Midnight Champagne toast. Kevin ‘KMac’, also set the tone as always with a terrific variety of music to keep everyone moving. He continues to be the ‘soul’ of the FloorPlay Dance Club events and dances. April Prince was back with us again proving her position as ‘one of the best’ and setting up all of the competition music as well as playing for the crowd. Ken Dillard, also of Chicago was terrific every time up! And, we were pleased to have Nathalie Scott with us all the way from France as she carves her own niche here in the states. I suspect judging from the compliments you’ll be seeing her around the circuit. I heard nothing but compliments about all of our music ALL weekend long with lots of new tunes being heard. Great Thanks to the DJ’s!

As always, there are MANY on any event staff who make it all work. Without them it simply doesn’t happen. I like to think we have the best staff anywhere. These are the folks who initially greet you, sign you in, answer your questions, handle security, keep things organized in all aspects of presentation and make everyone feel welcome…all with a smile! Ed Sullivan & Nora Batts lead Security and recruit ample ‘friendly’ help including Janie Morningstar, Ginger Rosacia and Jacqueline Jauz. Registration is very involved and Amy Palmer was the key to making it all happen and running smoothly. She did so much behind the scenes it would be too hard to describe. Helping out tremendously were Meggan and Marilyn Thomas, Cindy Winternitz, Linda Murphy, Jutta Baerman and Sandy Sanborn. And, last but not least there are those who are those who contribute in a WIDE variety of ways without who’s help there would be noticeable deficiencies in organization. Diane Scott, Bill Bray and Maria Hardy are these people along with Danielle Blouin and Mike Oates who provided the Pro /Am Awards. And, like many mentioned here help with FloorPlay cruises and dances throughout the year. I Sincerely Thank you all for your tremendous efforts and to those who helped I may have omitted here.

A final HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who attended this year. Always a great crowd who make it such a terrific atmosphere and contribute to making Swing Vacation the place to party on New Years Eve! You ALL ROCK!

We will continue to do our best to bring you the Best New Years Party possible and hope you will plan to join us again for Swing vacation 2011 – ’12.

Sincerely,

Mark Traynor

FloorPlay Club Founder

The 2010 Competition results are located in our competition results section.

Ranch Pic #1

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:23:17 +0000

NYE 2010 Professional Staff

Mark Traynor — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:18:12 +0000

Hosted by Robert Royston

Event Staff

Emcee

Robert Royston

Instructors

Robert & Nicola Royston
Michael Kielbasa
Jen DeLuca
Katrina Branson
Arjay Centeno
Danielle Blouin
Demery Strickland
Trish Berlanga
Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlowe

DJ’s

KMac – Kevin McDeed
April Prince
Ken Dillard

Social ‘West Coast’ Swing Basics Session 1

Mark Traynor — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:36:29 +0000

Tell your friends who’ve been waiting that NOW is the time to start!

We will be starting a New Format for Classes Nov. 2nd, 2010

It’s a very affordable, fun night out. You get 45 min’s. of learning each Tuesday over 6 weeks for only $25. You can dance another couple hours to a variety of great music after class. You get 2 drinks included with the $6. club door charge. You’re having fun and making new friends while getting some terrific mind & body exercise in a friendly atmosphere, with a great group of people all learning and enjoying arguably the best social activity you could ever be a part of. Don’t just watch any longer!

Mark’s 34 years of Dance Instruction experience, approach and constant upgrading of new teaching techniques to WCS makes understanding and executing the dance easier than ever. All instruction is explained in simple terms and all of the steps are socially leadable. Marks approach is for everybody to enjoy this great Dance form without being limited to Competition rules. For the Social dancer, especially for WCS, everything should be leadable, self interpretive and FUN! This is the class for you!

WCS being the most versatile of all, as well as most fun once ‘under control’, takes a little longer to get there. We spend more time learning it because we the better you know it, the more fun it becomes.

For those who have already taken a Basics class, it’s always good as you know to repeat the class to be sure your fundamentals are strong. And you’ll always pick up some info you may have missed the first time that will continue to improve your basics. Without them everything else will end up being, and maybe has been, a struggle. Make sure you’re complimenting your partners and making your dance experience fun for you both.

Continuing classes keeps you up to date, active, the mind sharp, involved and more apt to quickly become proficient and in demand on the dance floor instead of watching everyone else having the fun. Once your Basic techniques, especially lead & follow are under control, everything else comes easy. Are all your leads precise so your partner isn’t ‘guessing’? Can you ‘read & react’ to everything without having to fake your way through it all? Floor time, attending dances and events, practice thru classes make it happen. NOBODY gets it all right away or even the first time thru the session.

We have a good and growing ‘base’ of dancers now with the local WC dance community here and the best way for it to grow as it has everywhere is thru those involved ‘spreading the word’.

The more partners we all have the better! Dancing is, and always will be a fun, healthy, social exercise for everybody to enjoy!

West Coast Swing is without question the most versatile social partner dance form there is whatever your music preference may be…

Join Marks WCS Basics 1 and add WCS to your dancing capabilities. You’ll be very glad you did! It’s smooth, it’s stylish, sexy, fun, and easier than you think….it’s whatever you want it to be…and it’s what everybody is learning and doing! No partner is necessary. Come be a part of the next dance craze!

(Private lessons and coaching are available for those who wish to compete, or just want to be very good!)

At: The Rockin Ranch – 801 S. Nova Rd. Ormond Bch., FL

Tuesdays are Swing Night at the Ranch!

Begins: Tuesday July 20th at 7:30pm till 9pm. Lots of Open dancing & practice after class.
6 weeks – only $35. per person…(save $7. over the weekly rate)
** Please come in close to 7pm the first night for sign-up before class.

Thanks for your supprt.